BEDickey
Premium Member
Greetings all. My name is Brandon, soon to be an Entered Apprentice. What drew me Masonry is its links to my religion, a modern day incarnation of Hermeticism. I will spare most religious talk as this is not the place for it but I will point out what I see as interesting links.
I will start with that most well known of symbols, the Square and Compasses. Everyone here knows its Masonic meaning, here is an interesting new view. One of the main maxims of Hermeticism is "That which is above corresponds that what is below, that which is below corresponds to what is above, to accomplish the One Thing". The Square and Compasses bares this perfectly. The compasses point up, also the compasses are used to draw circles, an ancient symbol of planets, or the Sun, or "God". The Square points down and is used in construction. Many ancient structures built by Masons were aligned to the stars and the planets, to bring their order and harmony down to Earth.
In Hermeticism we study the 4 Hermetic arts, Tarot, Astrology, Qabalah, and Numerology. We all know numbers are important to Freemasonry, so Numerology and it's cousin Sacred Geometry are easy links. Qabalah has is roots in Egypt, home of the greatest Masons in history, and not the Jewish religion, as they forbid the worship of "graven images". A quick look at a few cards in the Rider-Waite Tarot will show the links there, Arcanum II The High Priestess has Jachin and Boaz, along with pomegranates in the shape of the Qabalah. 3 out of 4 of the Cardinal Virtues of Masonry are represented by cards, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice being cards XIV, VIII, and XI respectively. The Scottish Rite 15th degree is "Knight of the Sword", the Tarot also has a Knight of Swords. It also makes reference to the "rose cross" a reference to the "Rosacrucians", an older order of Christian mystics who studied these same Arts. Astronomy is very important as well, as it allowed the Masons of old to align their buildings to the Luminaries(planets, stars, constellations, ect)
A study of Freemasonry shows it comes from the Ancient Mystery Schools of old. Hermeticism itself is the combined Teachings of some of the more Esoteric Mystery Schools, indeed it was the known value of these Arts and the truth contained within that prevented the Hermeticist from being wiped out as the rise of Christianity came about. Our belief in an all powerful, in fathomable God didn't hurt either.
These are just a few of the links I have found and I'm sure I will learn more as I go threw the degrees, and will share them with all with you if you wish. With that I say good day and wish you all a pleasant Journey.
Parting of the Square,
Brandon
I will start with that most well known of symbols, the Square and Compasses. Everyone here knows its Masonic meaning, here is an interesting new view. One of the main maxims of Hermeticism is "That which is above corresponds that what is below, that which is below corresponds to what is above, to accomplish the One Thing". The Square and Compasses bares this perfectly. The compasses point up, also the compasses are used to draw circles, an ancient symbol of planets, or the Sun, or "God". The Square points down and is used in construction. Many ancient structures built by Masons were aligned to the stars and the planets, to bring their order and harmony down to Earth.
In Hermeticism we study the 4 Hermetic arts, Tarot, Astrology, Qabalah, and Numerology. We all know numbers are important to Freemasonry, so Numerology and it's cousin Sacred Geometry are easy links. Qabalah has is roots in Egypt, home of the greatest Masons in history, and not the Jewish religion, as they forbid the worship of "graven images". A quick look at a few cards in the Rider-Waite Tarot will show the links there, Arcanum II The High Priestess has Jachin and Boaz, along with pomegranates in the shape of the Qabalah. 3 out of 4 of the Cardinal Virtues of Masonry are represented by cards, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice being cards XIV, VIII, and XI respectively. The Scottish Rite 15th degree is "Knight of the Sword", the Tarot also has a Knight of Swords. It also makes reference to the "rose cross" a reference to the "Rosacrucians", an older order of Christian mystics who studied these same Arts. Astronomy is very important as well, as it allowed the Masons of old to align their buildings to the Luminaries(planets, stars, constellations, ect)
A study of Freemasonry shows it comes from the Ancient Mystery Schools of old. Hermeticism itself is the combined Teachings of some of the more Esoteric Mystery Schools, indeed it was the known value of these Arts and the truth contained within that prevented the Hermeticist from being wiped out as the rise of Christianity came about. Our belief in an all powerful, in fathomable God didn't hurt either.
These are just a few of the links I have found and I'm sure I will learn more as I go threw the degrees, and will share them with all with you if you wish. With that I say good day and wish you all a pleasant Journey.
Parting of the Square,
Brandon
